Machine for pressing and finishing plug-tobacco.



MACHINE FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2,1914.

1,154,913. Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET I.

55 J7 l 'zgl.

OLUMBXA PMNDURAPH C0,, WASHINGTON. D. c.

R. B. DULA.

MACHINE FOR PR ESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.

' APPLICATION FILED JAN.2, I914. v 1,154 913. PatentedSept. 28, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEE'I 2.

54: 0 nvewboz fiwnmv $51 75 (lift/me 5 MW L%,,M %MAM #51 COLUMBIAPLANOURAPM (0.. WASHINUTON, n. c.

' R. B. DULA. MACHINE FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.

Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3 APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2. 1914. 1,154,913.

COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH CO WASHl NmN, D. C-

R. B. DULA. MACHINE FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.

- APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2. I914. 1,154,913.

8 SHEETSSHEET 4 Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0.. WASHINGTON. D. c.

, R. B. DULA.

MACHINE FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.

APPLICATION EILED JAN.2. 1914.

1,154,913. Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

8 SHEETSSHEET 5.

I I I y' 106 107 D/LWgWeo: awe/Mex WW4. pa mi COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPHCO..WASHINOTON. D4 c.

R. B. DULA.

MACHINE FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.

APPLICATION FILED IAN.2. 1914.

1 1 54,9 1 3 Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

8 SHEETSSHEET 6 COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH co., WASHINGTON, D. c.

R. B. DULA. MACHINE FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO. APPLICATIONFILED 1AN.2, 1914.

1 1 54,9 1 3 Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

8 SHEETSSHEET 7.

COLUMBIA PLANOQEAPN CO. WASHINGTON. D

R. B. DULA.

MACHINE FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.

Z l i 0 00 0 0 W M 9 d 2 i I 9 W m w I W M flaw P I, M M Z 7 .0 Z w m 004 fl JW H Mw 4 ow vw & MP 0 00 f M J 8 M 5 Z Z 2 m w a 2 M w d 8 1 OM Toall whom it may Camera:

c A i transferee in nonnn'nn. bum er mam-cows, new roman;

Madame-spa,lanssnraia rm sm'm PLUG-TOBACCO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. as, 11915.,

lit lest-idsiiieaaanaary 2, 1914 Serial no. 8'10j007.

Be it known thatI, ROBERT. B. DULA, a

citizen of the United States, residing-at, Tarrytown, in the/county I ofWestchest'er and State of New York, have invented new.

and useful Improvements 7 in Machines for Pressingand Finishing PlugTobacco, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for pressing andfinishingplugtobacco, andha's for its object to provide acoinpletely organizedmachinefor automatically feeding into pressing molds or frames partly formed"plugsof tobacco, and a separ'atihgplate be i tween each plug, pressingeach plugas it enters the molda'nd, after predetermined number havebeenfed into mold; holdsaid plugs under compression:between' top and:

bottom pressing plates alsoautomatically fed to the mold in proper time;r'einov1n*g,in' succession the filledm'ol'ds' fromtheg fillmgpositionand placing them on aslowly moving conveyerthat transports them from themachine and back a gain, thetime "consumed" in making the cycle over theconveyer being suiiiciently long for the compressed plugs to set ejecting the pli'i'gs separating plates and cssing plates bysi'iita-bleautomatic discharging mechanism that pushthem from the moldsontoatemp'orary supper-weepsrating the plugs from the platesas they-areremoved from the support; and delivering said plugs to a conveyer whichcarries them to packing position or wherever desired, the platespassingseparately from thema'chme into position to he gathered andreturnedto their respectivehoppers and finally; trans-= fer-ring theempty molds fromtlie-diseliarge 1 ing mechanism back again tothefillingf mechanism, the en tire series of operations; being carriedout in order Witliout manual assistance Another object of theinvention-ism-pie vide a pressing mold or frame of novel constructioninto which havesbeen fed ,a-predetermined number of plugs'and separatingplates therebetween, and a pressing plate above and below the plugs,which pressing plates form a temporary top andbottom forsaid mold, andafter the plugs have been pressed individually and collectively; to antomatically lock said presSingplateS' on the compressed plugs and holdtli'e'I n thus u'ntll fully set. i

A; further object of the invention is to provide a pressing means thatwill give each plug an individual maximum compression when fed into themold and'the same pressure to all the previously pressed plugs insaidhm'old asit is being filled, automatic means being, provided toinsure the maximum pressure and prevent any increase thereof. 7

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel transporting andtransferring means for moving the pressed'molds whiletheplugsaresetting; means for separatmg the plates from the plugs and delivering.

the same figure. j Fig. 4: is a front elevation of: the machine-partlyin section. Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional View on the line 5--5 Fig:3. Fig. 6 isa sectional View in a plane parallel to planeof section ofFig. 2 illus trating only some special parts of the invention. Fig. 7 isan enlarged plan View partly in-se'etion showing the plug hopper,separating plate hopper, and means for feedin'gplugs-and plates totheplunger.

Fig. 8 a central vertical section view of' the same parts; Flg. 9 1s anenlarged vert1- calsectional'view of the mold box or frame.

Fig. 10' is an elevationof: one side of the same. Fig. 11 is a top-planview of the mold-box,

Inthedrawings 20 indicates the support-- 'ing frame as whole, includingstandards 21 that rise-from the floor and support a horizontalta-ble22,above which'the standards rise, as-at 23, 24, to a suitable height andat thetop are-provided with bearings 25 for a crank shaft 26, thepurpose of Whi'ehwill be described later.

For simplifying thedescription, that side of the machine" in Fig. 1 atthe bottom of the sheet willbe called the front, the oppo site side therear, theside on the right'the right" hand side, and the side on theleft theleft hand side.

Above the table 22 and parallel therewith is asIrelfQT sustained bybrackets that project i'fi'W'aimllyffom the standard extensions-24,-upon which shelf 1s secured a "hopper 28 for the material A to bepressed'in the" present instance bars of plug tobacco partly compressed;another hopper 29 containing the metal separating plates B that areinserted between the plugs, and athird hopper 30 for holding thepressing plates 0 that are. placed at the top and bottom of a stack ofplugs and between which they are pressed.

The material or plug hopper 28 is mounted in vertical position on theshelf 27 a short distance from its front edge, and extends as high asdesired, being open both at the top for the insertion of plugs to bepressed and finished, and at the bottom through which they are ejectedone at a time. Behind the hopper 28 and spaced therefrom is the hopper29 for the separating plates preferably of less height than V the hopper28 and open at top and bottom for insertion and ejection of the plates.

Between the hoppers 28, 29, is a vertically reciprocating pressingplunger 31 secured on the lower end of a piston rod 32 provided with apiston 33 on its upper end that may travel in a cylinder 34. On opposite .sides of the cylinder are vertical sliding bars 35 secured onthe bottom of A to be pushed between its under side and the shelf27.Directly under the plunger the cylinder and movable in'guides 36 on thestandard extensions 23, 24. Pivotally connected to the cylinder 34 are.two connecting rods 37'that extend upward to a crank 38 on the shaft26, the rotation of which reciprocates the cylinder, that is, it raisesand lowers the cylinder, piston and pressing plunger. F astened on theshelf 22' between the hoppers 28, 29 but offset therefrom'is thepressing plate hopper 30 and like the other hoppers is open at the topand bottom.

When the plunger 31 is in its highest position, there is sufficient roomfor a plug is an opening 39 in the shelf 27 of thesize of the plugthrough which opening the plugs A, separating plates B and pressingplates C are pushed by the plunger into pressing molds or frames 40 whenfed thereover by means now tobe described.

On the shelf 27 in front of the hopper 28 is a horizontallyreciprocating pusher 41 movable in slides 42 and adapted to travelbeneath the hopper toward the opening 39,

The pusher at its rear'end is as wide as the plugs A are long and aboutas high as a partly compressed plug is thick, to engage plugs singly andpush them accurately to the opening 39 and beneath the plunger. Theforward end of the pusher is connected to a lever 43 on a rock shaft 44journaled in bearings above the shelf 27, said shaft being rocked by aconnecting rod 45 pivoted V at one end to anarm 46 on said rock shaftand at its other endito an arm 47 ,on a

second rock shaft-48 'to which motion is of the pusher of sufficient,width in the direction ofmovement to support all the plugs in the hopperabove the bottom one until. the withdrawal of the pusher, whereupon theydescend to place another plug in posi:

tion to be ejected.

At the bottom of the hopper 29 containing the separating plates 13 aretwo rocking plates 54, see Fig. 7, that support the plates 13, pivotedintermediate their ends to the front and rear walls respectively ,ofsaid hoppervto swing in horizontal planes. These plates 54 aresubstantially as long as the separatingplates B, their inner edges ateach end projecting toward the hopper in the form of blades 55, 56 thatalternately swing beneath the separating plates in said hopper as theplates 54 are rocked. ,.The blades 56 which area little higher than theblades 55 are on opposite ends' of the plates 54 so that when saidplates, consite corners of the separating plates and the blades 55 awaytherefrom. The latter blades between operations extend under the hopperand sustain the separating plates at two diagonally opposite corners,the other corners being unsupported. When the blades 55 which are alittle lower than the bottom plate, swing inwardly, the stack ofplatesdescend until they rest on said blades. After a short interval, thehorizontal plates 54 are moved in the opposite direction, withdrawingthe blades 55 from beneath the stack and thrusting the blades 56, whichhave knife edges, between the bottom plate and the plate next above,releasing the bottom plate which thereupon drops upon horizontalsupporting rails 58 beneath the hopper inposition to be carried to theopening 39, as more clearly shown in Fig. 8.

The blades are rocked by a cam 59, Figs.

3 and 5 fixed on the shaft 50, that actuates a rod 60 connected to onearm of an elbow lever '61, from the other arm of which a link 62 extendsto one of the rocking plates In guides 63 on the shelf 27 beneath thehopper 29 is mounted a slide 64 that pro-. jects a short distance abovethe supporting rails 58 and travels to and from the opening '39 in saidshelf, the forward edge of which slide engages the separating plate beenfed from the hopper 28. The slide'is "feed a pressure plate from thehopper 30 on the rails and feedsit to the opening 39 simultaneously withthe plug A and just above the same, thesup'porting rails 58 being at theproper height to maintain the plate above the plug. The slide is operated by a lever on the same shaft 48 with the level-52, connected by alinked with an arm 67 on a shaft 68 from 'which a 'second arm G9depends, the free 'end of' which is connected to the slidehc. 4 Theplugs A are'guidedto the opening 39 and centered thereover by springfingers are fed to the mold or frame, and after the last plug and platehave been pushed therein, a pressing plate C in each" instance must beplaced in the mold, tliese lplates constituting respectively, thebottoin and top of the mold 40 as more clearlyshownin Fig. i

9. To. do this the pressure 'plate'hopper 30 is secured on the shelf 27(at the left hand end of the opening 39, and intothefbottom' of saidhopper a slide 72 projects tliat engages the lowest pressure plate andpushes it above the opening 39 through wlnch'it drops into the mold orframe 40. The reciprocation of the slide 72 is timed to feed a plate 0into themold before and after a predetermined number of plugs havereciprocated by an arm 73, see rigsib and 6, connected thereto, hired onashort shaft Tet rocking in bearings on the standards 21' below thetable 22, said shaft havingtaerea on a second arm 75-held againsta camTG bya spring 77 connected to thearm 73 and to the frame. The cam 76 isformed with two depressionsZS, 79, of such shape and soy spaced fromeach other that as thecam rotates, the depressions will be brought insuccession opposite the end of arm 7 5 which will drop' into saiddepressions under the tension of spring 77 and each time permit the arm7 3 to operate the slidequicldyand The pressing molds or frameseO,asshow'n in detail in Figs. 9,10, and ll, are strong rectangular boxlike containers having I a cross sectional area equal to the lengthand,width of the finished plug and aflheight to contain any desired numberofplugs, in thepresent embodiment, the pressing molds are designed tohold tenfplugs. have parallel frontand rear sides 80, parallel ends 81,and are open from top a to bottom.

Other spring fingers 71 the plunger and the pressure plate. beunderstood that'the plugs'in the hopper These I molds Each end 80hasforwardly and reari-vardly PIOJBCtlDg'fel) '82 that give the mold a firmI tails of the latches 83, Si at each end of each side overlap and arejoined by'a pin and slot connection 86 so as to operate in unison, andare normally held away from the sides by springs 87 that keep the hookedends 88, 89 of the latches respectivelybe- .neath the mold and withinthe slots 85. The feet 82 project below the bottom of the mold and standon the table 22, the space between the feet when the mold is in placebelow the opening 39 in the shelf 27 being filled by an elevated block90 as high as the bottom of the nioldupon which the lower pressure plateC in the mold bears. Grooves 91 are made in the block for; the lowerlathes83 to pass into. The latches 83, 8st hold theplugs in themold-under continuous pressure by means of their hooked ends 3 whichengage over the edges of the upper and lower pressure plates C. i I

A mold, such as described, is placed by hand, or automatically by meanshereinafter described, beneath the opening v39,-'Whereupon a pressingplate C is fed from the hopper 3'0 and falls through said opening to thebottom of the mold and istheresupported on the block 90; Plugs A. oftobacco and separating plates B are then fed 1' successively into themold untilthe predeterinin'ed number of plugs and separating plates haveentered therein. A second pressure plate is then fed into the moldandwthe stack of plugs, separating plates and pres sure plates are heldunder pressure between the upper and lower latch hooks 88, 89.

' As'each plug and plate is fed over the opening 39, the plunger 31descends, pushing the plug and plate to the bottom of the mold-andcompressing said plug between It is to 28 have'been only partly pressedwhile substantlally aslong and as Wide as the finished T plug," they arethicker and less compact,

hence a finishing pressure or pressures is necessary before they areready for the unarket. The'plunger 31,as heretofore de scribed, is onthe lower end of a piston rod 32 the upper end of which carries a pistonthat may travel in a cylinder 34-, said parts being reciprocated by thecrank 38 more clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4., The piston t dercompression between said piston and the head of the cylinder. A guidingrod 93 extends from the piston longitudinally of the cylinder, throughhead, where its end is threaded and fitted with nuts 95 that serve asstops to limit the downward nioyement ofthe piston. At the top of thecylinder is a check valve 96, see Fig. 3, that admits air into thecylinder during'the downward movement ofthe piston,

and a regulating valve 97 thatcan be adjusted to permit the escape ofair from the cylinder during the upward movement of the piston when thepressure in said cylinder tends to exceed a determined point. The

plunger 31 onv its downward movement to plug, the movement of theplunger in unison with the cylinder is arrested, the latter howevercontinues its descent, but the piston and plunger move only as the plugyieldsto pressure.

. the cylinder compressing the air therein and increasing the pressurewon the plugs until the predetermined pressure is reached,

whereupon the relief valve 97 is forced open 7 and excess pressurepermitted to escape.v

The pressure on the plugs thereafter re-.

mains constant during the; continuance of the downward throw of thecrank 38. It will be seen, therefore, that as each plugand separatingplate are fed into the mold, the

plug receives a preliminary pressure to.

partly compress it. The plunger 31' continues to reciprocate, pushinga-plug and a separating plate with each downward stroke into the moldand. compressing the plugs; This continues untilthe mold has receivedits full complement of plugs, where- ,upon' the movement of the plungeris stopped, the filled mold removed and an.

empty one inserted in its place. Each-plug entering the mold'engages theinclined edges 98 of the hooked ends 89 of "the upper latches '84 andpush the latches outward,

stripsg99 on the plunger holding them outward until the'plungerwithdraws from the mold.

With the last plug and separating sheet, thetop pressure plate entersthe mold and the three are pushed down until the-latter platepasses thehooked ends 89 before the.

reliefvalve 97 opens and the plunger stops.

The plates C are of sufficient thickness to be rigidso that they willnot bulge greatly under pressure. This imparts to all theplugs of thepack within the mold a final pressure whichis maintained for asufficiently long period to enable the plugs to set, so that\ihenreinoved from the mold the plugs will be of equalthickness, whichis rendered posthe spring and out. through a stuffing box 94 in thecylinder The piston isthus pushed up in siblebecause each plug containsthe same quantity of tobacco, and the length and width of'each being thesame, each plug will be subjected to the same continuous final pressure.The two ends of the plunger have each a notch 100 therein which, whenthe plunger stops after the last plug is pressed, are opposite thehookedends 89 and. into which said hooked ends enter, permitting themand the hooked ends of the-lower latches 83 to engage the edges of theupper and lower pressure pansion of the plugs. l

The separating plates are made of metal and have smooth surfaces whichcontact with the plugs, and owing to the continuous pressure sustainedby the plugs and plates and prevent explatesfor such along time, thesides of the v plugs when removed from the molds will be smooth andhighlyfinished. The separating plates may have on one orbcth sides oneor more characters in relief, as the trademark, a name or the like thatis impressed in the plug while under pressure, also ribs equally spacedmay be formed across the plates toimpress transverse grooves in theplugs forindicating lines of division. thereon. These reliefcharactersand ribs are not necessary. however, and perfectly smoothplates maybe used if desired.

-- After the top and bottom pressureplates havebeen secured by thelatches, the molds may be removed by hand and stored for a suficientlength of time for the plugs to set, and then opened and the plugsandplates removed manuallybut in an organized automatic machine hereinillustrated and described, suitable means are provided for automaticallyremoving the molds from the. filling position onto a conveying mechanismthat transportsthem slowly from the machine and backagain to adischarging mechanism that ejects the plugs and plates from the mold,separates the plugs and plates and delivers them where desired, andreturns the molds to beagain filled, the time required 1 for thecomplete cycle of movement being sufficiently long for the plugs tothoroughly A set. The automatic means for transporting the molds fromthe filling to the discharge position will now be described. 7 r

Extending crosswise of the machine below the table 29 from about thecenter toward the left side isashaft 101, seeFigs. 1, 2, 3, and 6, Asecond shaftlOQ, in. line with shaft j 101,. extends to the, right side.A miter gear-103 on shaft 101 drives an inter' .mediate miter gear lO-ithat meshes with-a similar gear 105 on the shaft 102 and turns it in adirection opposite that of shaft 101. Secured on each shaft isa beltpulley or drum around which pass conveyer belts 106,

eon ey r lt 106 itrmels from the machine and bel .1 toward the ma hine,and may be supp r e on a erie of ro lers, a how o by her ean On these to be s th fi ed molds are car e re r slow y by an int rmittent mo em n fom the machine and back again to be emptied, the time require to tsatire ycl being a out two hours, h s m e ng nec ssary o he sca p e se pugs to se s as n t to ense hen as $9 01 pressu ef re eivin e d f t o tgohg belt 1 16 nd the discharge end of n m ng belt 11 re a sho di tan e is at o t e fill ng: esit on f t molds 40, which, ,afterbeing Elled ,are,placed pon the l a d oth r 1261119VQ1 f om he l 0. y th toiletr esmeans- Oil the right and le tside o t l ne of travel t the tg ng moldstw h r Zontal ba s 1 1 m u t to tec peoeat in u ta e s pno ts nd ea hrectified Q11 it upper side with two paw-ls 113, 11% spaced apart andmotmted ,on pivots. The free ends v0t the pawls on each gbar projecttoward those at he ba and are snfl i nt y long to engage and move the'ino-lds as the bars tra t tel nearwardly, bait yield on the greturnmovement ,of the bars it they -.contact with a mold. Similar butshorterreciprocats ba 5: 1 a d spose on oppos t sides of the incoming belt10ft; these bars hon'emer have each only pawl 117 to memove the filledmolds 'tnom the belt and carry them to discharge position.

Momement is given the bars 111, 112, 115, 116 by a cam 118, 3, fised ona shaft {119 upon which the cam 76 turns freely. This cam operates a bar120 carrying a roller 121 on one ,end hearing against the cam, t heother .end of said bar being )pivoted to the free end of ,a short arm122 fastened on a cross shaft 123 near the {Boost o-f the ,ma chine. Twoupright arms 1%, 125 ,spinned on, the sha-ifit 123 are connected by pinand slot joints to the outer sides of the reci-lh ocating bars 112, 116.Rocking freely on the shaft 110 near the center of {the machine are twoother upright arms 126, 127 that are connected [to the bars 111,115 bysimilar pin e slo Jo n A n 8 ex e ds th each ,arm 126, 127 forwardly,each link being attached to an arm 129 rfaston Ithe'shatt 123.

As the cam 118 rotates-in ,the direction ,of the arrow, the depressiontherein. will be brought opposite ,the roller {L21 heneupon a spring 130drawing the bar 120 forward, will, (through the (connections,,descrihed, wing th ea ns 2 1 2 26, 1127' in th same direction ,and movethe ,igeciprocating bars 111. 112, 11-5, ,116 into thepositionindid y dt d in s s Ed e 8 en s, whereupon the ,pangls 11,7 -age ,behind a .mold,on .the Q011181,l;);6l,l3 and {it f ai lt .be tl ta t e 2 lltr eld an rt mold t th l tesdet s Th cam 118 then draws the bar 120 rearwardly,moving the reciprocating bars in the same direction, causing thepawls113 to engage and vmore the filled mold from beneath the opening 39onto the belt 106, and the 'pawls 114: to bring an empty mold to fillingposition. The empty molds are transferred from the discharging mechanisminto position to be engaged by the pawls ll lby m ch nism Whi h Will behereinafter set forth. a

After the filled mold has been placed on the co-nreyer belt 106, thelatter is moved a short distance and then stops, the distance movedbeing substantially the length from front to rear of the foot pieces 82on the bottom of the mold. The means for moving 1 the belts will bedescribed later.

VlVith ,each intermittent movement of the belt 1% a mold is dischargedfrom its rear end onto a platform 131 against a stop rail 1:35 on the,end of the same across Which platform t-he mold is transferred to apoint {in line with belt 107 Where through the longitudinalreciprocation of horizontal bars 132 bearing pawls 133 similar to thebars and pawls at the other-end of the belt and connected thereto byrods 131-, ainold is gnored onto rear end of belt 107 simultalleouslywith the removal of one from its tonward lend. Each mold as itis removedgli'igotn the belt 107 is carried by the pawls 5117 against a rib 1 36on the front of the table 22 whichstops the mold-over a dischargeopening 137 in the table, see Fig. 2. Above the opening and morableyertically to and from the same is an ejecting plunger 13S auran ed toenter the mold, strike the n- ,olined edges to release the latches, andthen -,p 1sh its contents through the discharge opening. The plunger 138s al -fixed onthe.

@lQWQr endot' a slide bar 139 movable in a guide 140 fastened on thestandard 2% and actuated by an arm 1&1 having a pm and slot connectionat its free end -W1tl1 said silde -;ba,r. 'illhe arm l-lrl is part of alever having ,a short ar n 14-3, and is mounted on .a rock- .sha ft 142extending across the machine near the ,upper end of the standards 22,23. To this ,secon diar n M13 is 'pivotalltattached a ,cam ,actnated bar14 -1 extending downward to mid onei-ated by a c m l os y mo n ed,on'the shaft 119. The cam nox esintcr- ,n ittent'l v and ejects at eachmovement, a pressed and rlllllglled plug and a separating ,plate whichfall -,through=the open ng 13? upon a shelf 146 that projects a ,shortdis- ,ta nce beyond the opening 137 totv 21rd an adjacent inclinedchute 147 directed down ward to a transverse delierery ybeltlltl leadingeater from th mach e o t ha 138 ifast ned on th tar Plunger 1 {forwiping out the ,mold sigijiultaneously avith' tli-e ejection of theplugs theregfirom.

, fieloir and inst behind a h at cha ne 149 projecting down from thedischarge opening 137 is'an ejector plate 150 that pushes the plugs fromthe shelf onto the chute 147. -The plate 150 is fastened on a strip 151having a depending vertical'portion 152 at its right side to which isconnected an arm 153 on a short shaft 154 near the. floor that is rockedby means of a cam 155 fast onthe shaft .50 actuating a cam bar "156connected to a second arm 157 on the shaft 154.

It is desirable that the separating plates B be otherwise disposed ofthan discharging them on the delivery belt with the finished plugs and,therefore, one or more electro magnets 158' are fixed above the path ofmovement of the ejected plugs and separating plates on the'upper side ofthe plugs. The poles of the magnets are close to the passing plates andattract said plates,which .are preferably made of tinned iron, and

hold them while the plugs continue toward the belt 148. As soon as theplugs pass and the ejector returns to position, the electric circuitthrough the magnets is broken, permitting the plates to drop in front ofthe shelf and fall into a tapering channel 159 by which they are guidedto a collector160 below the conveyer belt 148. Should a separating plateadhere to the bottom of a plug from any cause and lie between the plugand the shelf, a second electro1nagnet or series of magnets 161 belowthe shelf are provided to hold said plate. The magnets 161 are mountedon a pivot 162 to swing from an inclined position below the shelf 146into position where the faces of their poles will be in a plane with thetop of the shelf and thus serve as supports for the ejected plugs. Themagnets are swung into line with the shelf at each forward movement ofthe ejector 150 by a cam 163 on the forward edge of the verticalportion'152 of the strip 151 fastened on the ejector. This cam acts onan 7 arm 164 projecting from the magnet pivot a forward direction fromthe front'of the machine, but having an inclination laterally, as inFig. 4.- The plates are pushed against 7 a sliding block 166 in thetrough as they fall from the channel by apusher 167 that is moved backand forth byan arm 168 on the rock shaft 154 connected by a link 169with a sliding stem on the pusher. The two magopened and closed by themovement of the swinging magnets 161, or in any other suitable and wellknown manner.

The transfer mechanism for shifting the molds 40 from one conveyer beltto the other at the front and rear ends of said belts comprise twotransversely reciprocating horizontal bars, see Fig. 1, one 170 at thefront of the table 22 and the other 171 in rear of the platform 131,both bars being above the plane of. the conveyer belts. Thesereciprocating transfer bars 170, 171 each move in suitable supports andhave racks 172, 173, respectively, on their under sides with which gearwheels 174, 175 engage. Fixed to the respective gear wheels are 'pinions176, 177 rotated by vertically movable racks 178, 179. V The rack 178 isoperated by an arm 180 projectingforwardly from a sleeve 181 turningloosely on the shaft 123, said arm having a slot'on its free end withwhich a pin on the rack bar 178 engages. An arm 182 similar to arm 180moves the rear rack bar 179. An arm 183 projects downward from the loosesleeve 181 and is connected by a rod 184 to an upwardly projecting arm185 fixed on the arm 182. By this means the two vertical rack bars 178,179, are moved in unison, as also are the two transfer bars 170, 171,the latter bars however move in opposite directions,

this result being obtained by engaging the vertical rack bars withopposite sides of the pinions 176, 177. A cam 186 operates the arms 180,182 through acam bar 187 on which is. a roller within the cam slot. saidbar being connected to an arm 188 projecting from the sleeve 181;

' A finger 189 is fastened on the transfer bar 170 and extendsrearwardly over the .table 22 in position to engage the right end wardlycausing the gear wheels 174, to V rotate and the transfer bars toreciprocate in opposite directions. whereupon the fin gers 189, 190 willeach carry a mold across the machine, and leave it in line with aconveyer belt, the finger 189 moving to the left with an empty moldtoward the belt 106,

into and out of a mold during the packing operation may at times cause adisplacement of such mold unless means are provided to lilriven by agear wheel wheel 210 and turning with said shaft are hold it stationary.One such means is shown in Figs. 1 and 4 of the ,di'ra-wings andcomprises a pairof arms 191, 192; pivoted below the table22 at 193, 194and. X tending up through openings rt-hereinonthe right and left endsofthe filling position of the mold. forked as at195 'to engage the endsof a mold and hold it against dis ilacement, and are swung intoengagement by a: cam 190 on the shaft 11.9;actuatingin one direction, abell crank lever 19'? one arm of which is connected by link 198 to anarm199 pro-, jecting from each forkedarm 191 192. A spring 200 disengagesthe forked arms from the mold and holds the bell crank lever against thecam. I a The mechanisms hereinabove described are givenlIlOtlQlltlllOllgll a-pr1mary,dr1ving shaft 201 extending across themachine in rear of standards 21 and below theltable 22 fromanyconvenient source of power, in the embodiment shown, an electricmotor 202 is provided, see Figs 1 and 6, onthe shaft of which is a worm203 driving a worm gear fixed on the shaft 201,,on which shaft is alsoabroad faced pinion 205 in continuous engagement witha spur gear 206 faston asleeye 207 free both to rotate drives a similar gear. 230 below thesame and at, right angles thereto, this second gear 'Ine'shing with athird gear wheel 281011 a longitudinal'shaft 232 that extends toward thefront of the machine where a gear wheel thereon drives a gear wheel-234on the and slide on the shaft 50. The ends ofthe sleeve 207are each madewith a clutch face, one of which couples with the complementary clutchface on a collar 208 fasten the shaft when moved to the left, or with alike face on a sleeve 209 free to irotate onith-e shaft and providedwith a spuri' gear wheel 210. Fixed on the shaft50, see Figs. 2 and arethe cams 49, 59, and l55,the driving pinion 211 of? a step by step orGeneva movement, a small pinion'2l2, a sprocket wheel 213 and a spiralgear wheel 214, The sprocket wheel"213 drivesfa chain 2l5-that extendsupward andcpasses over a sprocket wheel 210 on the crank shaft '26 todrive the same. The pinion 212 meshes with a large spur gear 217 towhich is secured a pinion 218 bothof which are loose on the shaft 119,said pinion driringanother largef gear wheel 219 fixed on the shaft 101.This shaft 101 and shaft 102 carryirespectively the pulleys or drums220, 22.1. around which the conreyer belts 106,, 107 pass and by whichthey are driven, The shaft 119is from thegear cams 11S and 186; The"other cams 145, 76 and fl96and the large intermittently movable wheel ofthe Geneva; movement are loose on said shaft and move in unison withsaid wheel 223 when the smaller wheel or pinion 21]. rotates. I

The several mechanisms operated by and through the cams and gears faston the shaft 50 are put in motion whenever the clutch on the sleeve 207is in. engagement The upper ends of the levers are ni sms'include theentire machine except the mold transferring means at opposite, ends ofthe conveyor belts 106; 107, which means is Qperatedonly when thesliding sleeve 207 which time allthe other mechanisms are/[at restigandremain inactive until the clutch that-revolves in proper time a wormwheel 2251ofna stub shaft on one side of which heel-is a cam 226 with aperipheryof suitable shape and proportions against which i an arm 227 isheld by aspring 228.

A shifting: lever 229 securedaon'the pivot of the arm227 has aforkedupper'end that embraces the, sleeve 20.7. and engages a slottherein. Theworm wheel 225 and cam226 make'one complete revolution witheach-operation of themachine, the scam being so timed that itmoves.;,the shifting lever 229 r'to coupleup the transfer mechanism foroperationafterv the plunger 31 has filled one mold and the plunger-138emptied another. The spiral gear wheel'214 on the shaft 50 shaft ofoneof the pulleys or drums over Which the finished plug conveyor belt 148passes.

In the operation of the machine, let it be assumed that the hoppers 28,29 and 30 are filled respectively-with plugs A- to be pressed,separating plates B, and pressure plates C, and an empty mold 40inposition below. the opening 39 and locked in place by the arms 191, Themotor being started, the shaft201 rotates continuously, the pinion205thereon driving the gear wheel 206 Jon the loosesleeve 207. The clutch.on said the slide 72 to push a pressure plate C from the .liopper 30over the opening 39 that it may fall into the bottom of the mold 40.

The cam 59now actuates the bar 60 through which the plates 54, below thehopper 279, are operated to drop a separating plate B upon the rails 58.The pusher 41 and the slide. 64 are immediately advanced by the with thefixed sleeve 208, These,.mechaengages the sleeve209 to rotate the shaft119 and the cams 118,186 fixed thereon, at

loo

' 31. By this time the crank 37, driven by the sprocket wheel 213and'chain 215, has brought theplunger 31 downward topush saidjplug andplate into the mold 40 against the pressure plate C in the bottomthereof.

I The crankin its downward movement carries the cylinder 3 1, piston 33and plunger together until the plunger has forced the plug to the bottomof the mold against the plateandbegins to exert'pressure thereon,

- whereupon the plunger and piston are halted in their movement'but thecylinder continues. Halting of the plunger forces the piston up thecylinder, compressing the air and spring 92 within the cylinder until apredetermined air pressure has been reached, whereupon the relief'valve97 opens and the pressure on the plug remains constant through theremainder of the stroke. Upon the return movement of the crank theseparts are elevated; the plunger leaves the mold and the piston is movedto the bottom of the cylinder by the spring 92, air entering thecylinder above the piston through the check valve 96. With'each rotationof the shaft '50 a plug and a separating plate are 'fed'into' the moldand pressed by the plunger 31 until the full complement of plugs ten in7 number, have been placed therein. With each rotation of the shaft tofeed a plug and a separating plate,..to themold, .the pinion 211 makesone revolution and turns the Wheel 223 of the Geneva movement one stepcarrying the cams 14:5, 76 and 196 with it, as described. Just beforethe last step has been made, the cam 76 .will have been brou ht intosuch position that the depression 9 therein will aline with the leverwhich being drawn into said depression by driven by worm 224:, and cam226 fixed to I worm wheel actuating the shifting lever 229. Thismovement couples the gear wheel 206 to the sleeve 209 and disengages allthe mechanism heretofore moved through the collar 208. Rotation of thesleeve 209 revolves the shaft 119 through the gears 210, 222 and thecams 118 and 186 fixed thereon, the former cam operating the mechanismdescribed to move the longitudinal reciprocating bars 111, 112 to thedotted'position causes the fingers 113 thereon to withdraw the filledmold from beneath the opening 39 and place it upon the conveyor fromheneath the opening 39 andplace it upon the conveyer belt 106. By thesame movementv of the bars 111, 112, the fingers .1151 move an emptymold into position beneath the opening 39, these to be filled and inturn 'placedupon a conveyer belt. mold has been placed upon the belt 106the After each latter is moved a short distance, just far enough foranother mold tobe moved thereonto. Themoldsare filled and pushed uponthe belt, and when the latter is filled the most advanced mold on thebelt is pushed by the moving belt upon the platform 131 with everymovement of said belt. Each mold after passing onto the platform must betransferred to the belt 107 before another movement ofbelt 106. Justbefore each forward movement of the bars'lll, 112,

115, 116, the forward transfer bar 170 is moved to the left to carry anempty mold from the discharge mechanism into position to'be engaged bythe pawls 1'14, and the rear transfer bar 171 novesi simultaneously tothe right to carry a mold from the belt 106 into position in front ofpawls 133 back of the rear end of belt 107 to be pushed onto said belt.The conveyer belt 106 travels slowly rearwardly with the filled moldsthereon, and these molds are transferred, one at a time, to the belt 107and brought back to the machine by said belt. At each forward movementof the longitudinally rebars 115, 116 only operate, the pawls 117thereon push a filled mold above the discharge o'p'en'ing 137 andbeneath the plunger 138. Simultaneously with the movement of the bars115, 116, the rear bars 132 advance with their pawls 133 to place amold'on the rear end of belt 107. The bars all'move rearwardly at thesame time, the

" bars 111, 112only being active, their pawls 113, 114C carryingrespectively a filled mold to the belt 106 and an empty mold to fillingposition below the opening 39. The cam 1415 that operates the dischar eplunger 138 being secured on the intermittently moving wheel 223, theplunger is moved at eachimpulse only far enough to discharge one plugand separating plate, the friction of the plugs on the side of the moldpreventing the others falling. Each plug and separating plate. fallsupon the shelf 146 from which they are carried by the pusher .150between the electro-magnets 158, 161, which remove the plate from theplug and permit thelatter to be deposited on the conveyer belt 148. Uponthe return of the pusher 150. the circuit through the magnets is brokenand the separating plates drop into the channel 159 and from thence passinto the trough 165 of the collcctor160. The pressure plates C may alsofall into the collector 160.

I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the variousspecific mechanisms, herein shown and described for imparting movementsto the different parts of the machine asobviously other mechanisms maybe substituted for those shown, without departing from thespirit of theinvention, the showing here being simply by way of example.

lVha-t I claim is v 1. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishingmachineda moldbox,,means for feeding plugs and separating finishingplates thereinto, to form a pack of plugs, means for feedingin pressureplates so as to abut the end plugs of the pack, means for compressingthe plugs in the mold box after a pre determined number of plugs havebeen deposited therein, and means for latching said pressure plates tomaintain thecompression of said pack.

2. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a movable mold boxopen at both ends, means for feeding plugs into said box and for feedinga pair of end pressure plates into the box so asto form a pack of plugsbetween said pressure plates in said box, means for compressing theplugs in the mold box after a predetermined num ber of plugs have beenfed thereinto, and means for latching the said plates in the mold boxrespectively at the opposite ends of the mold box to maintain the plugsunder conmression. V I

3. In a plug tobacco pressing and linislr ing machine, a hopper having areceiving point for receiving plugs, and having a discharge outlet forthe plugs to be pressed, a

mold box movable beneath said hopper, means for feeding plugs from thehopper into the mold box, a plunger having yielding means, andreciprocating means for imparting pressure through said yielding meansto saidfplunger for compressing the plugs in the mold box after a numberof plugs have been deposited therein, said yielding means permittingsaid recipro eating means to continue its downward movement in eachstroke after the plunger has been stopped by the tobacco within themold.

4. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a. hopperfOlII'ECQlLVlIlg plugs to be pressed, a plurality of movable moldboxes,means for moving the mold-boxes successively beneath the hopper, meansfor feeding plugs into the "said mold-boxes, means for compressing theplugs in the mold-boxes in succession after, a predetermined number ofplugs have been'fed thereinto, and means carried by each mold-box? formaintaining the plugs therein undercompression. 7 V

5. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a hopper forreceiving the plugs to be pressed, a hopper for contain- 7 ingseparating plates tobe placedbetween said plugs, a plurality of movablemold boxes, means for feeding plugs and separating plates to themold-boxes successively, meansfor compressing the plugs in each mold boxafter a predetermined number of plugs and plates have been fedthereinto, means carried by each mold-box for main? taining the plugsunder compression, and means for removing the mold boxes successively'away from said hopper.

6. In a plug tobacco pressing and finish ing machine, a mold box, meansfor-successively andsimultaneously feeding a plug and a separatingfinishing plate into the mold box, a plunger having yielding means,

' and reciprocating means for applying pres,

sure through said yielding means to said plunger to press each plug uponentering the mold box, said yielding means permits ting saidreciprocating means to continue its downward movement after the downward movement of the plunger is stopped by the'tobacco. I 1 y l 7. In aplug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a mold box, meansforsuccessively feeding a plug and a separating finishing plate into themold box, a plunger.

the mold-box, means for feeding a pressing plate into said moldboxbefore and after a predetermined number of plugs have been fedthereinto, and means for'pressing each plug upon entering the mold-boxagainst the pack of plugs and simultaneously compressing the pack ofplugs. p

In a plug tobacco'pressing and finishing machine, a moldbox, means forfeeding plugs and separating finishing plates thereinto to forma packwithin the moldbox, means for feeding a pressing plate into saidmold-box before and after a predetermined number of plugs have been fedthereinto, means for' pressing each plug" upon entering the mold-boxagainst the pack of plugs and simultaneously compress ing. the pack ofplugs, and means formaintaining the pressure on said plugs.

10. In plug tobacco pressing and finish ing machine, a 1 hopper forplugs to be pressech'a plunger, .a mold-box movable beneath saidplunger, automatic means for feeding plugs singly from the hopperbeneath the plunger, and means for operating said plunger to apply anadjustable maximum pressure to each plug upon entering the box.

In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a hopper for plugs tobe pressed, a hopper for separating plates to be placed between saidplugs,a plunger, a 'mold-box 'movable beneath said plunger,

means for simultaneously feeding plugs and plates singly from saidhoppers beneath the plunger, and: means for operating saidplungertoapply an adjustable maximum pressure to each plug upon enteringthe box, and at the same timeto the previously pressed plugs therein. I

12. In a plug tobacco pressing andfinishing machine, a hopp er for plugsto be pressed, a plunger, amold-box movable bee neath said plunger,means for feeding plugs,

singly from the hopperbeneath the plunger, means for operating saidplunger to apply an adjustable maximum pressure to "each plug uponentering the box, and to the previously pressed plugs therein, andautomatic means on the mold-box for holding said plugs undercompression.

13. In a plugtobacco pressing and finishmg machine, a hopper for plugs.to be pressed, a hopper forcontaining separating finishing plates, aplunger, a mold-box movable beneath said plunger, means;forlfeeding-plugs and plates singly from said hopper beneath saidplunger, means for operat ingsaid plunger to apply a maximum press suresimultaneously to each plug upon entering the mold box and to thepreviously pressedplugs therein, and automatic means on the mold box formaintaining said plugs under compression.

p 14. In a plug tobaccopressing andfinishing machine, a hopper for plugsto be pressed, a hopper for. separating finishing plates, a hop'per forpressure plates, a plunger, a mold-box movable beneath said plun ger,means for simultaneously feeding a predetermined numberof plugs andseparating plates singly from their hoppers into the mold-box, means forfeeding a pressure plate into the mold-box before and after thepredetermined number of plugs have'been fed 'thereinto, means foroperating said plunger to apply a maximum pressure to each of saidplugs. upon entering 'thef box andto the prev1ously pressed plugstherein, and automatic means on the mold-box for locking said pressureplates against movement to maintain said plugs under compression. ,1

15. In a. plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a mold-box, meansfor feeding a predetermined number of plugs singly thereinto,'. meansfor applying pressure to each plug upon, entering said 'mold-box,

means for maintaining said plugs under,

pressure Within said mold-box after the same has been filled, andautomatic means for removing a filled mold-box and inserting in itsplace one to be filled.

determined number ofplugs and plates beneath said plunger one of eachsimultaneousl means for operating said plunger to push a plug and aplate intothe' mold-box and apply pressure to each plug as it enterssaid box and to the previously pressed plugs therein, and means tomaintain said plugs.

under pressure in the mold-box.

18. In a plug tobacco pressing and finish ing machine, a mold-box, meansfor feeding predetermined number of plugs singly thereinto, means fordischarging said plugs fiOBl the mold-box and transporting 'means' forcarrying the mold'box'from the filling means to the d scharging means. 7j

19, In a plugtobacco presslng and finishing machine, a pluralitv ofmold-boxes,

means for feeding a predetermined number of plugssingly intoeachmold-box to fill the same, means for discharging said plugs from one ofthe mold-boxes coincidently with the "filling of another of themold-boxes, transporting means for carrying the mold boxes from thefilling means to the discharging means, and means for returning theempty mold-box to the filling position.

20. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a mold-box, meansfor feeding a predetermined number, of plugs singly thereto, means forfeeding a separating finishing plate above each plug simultaneouslyWiththe feeding of said plug, means for applvingpressure to each plugupon entering said mold-box, means for mamtaining said plugs underpressure, automatic means for removing a filled mold-box and insertingin its place a box to be filled and means for separating the plates fromthe plugs after they are discharged from the mold-box.

21. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing mach-inc, amold-box, meansfor feeding a predetermined number of plugs singly theremto','nieans forfeeding a separating finishing plate above each plug simultane platesfrom the, plugs, after they are dis for transferring the mold. boxesfrom the. outgoing to the incoming conveyer, andmeans for transportingthe empty mold boxes into filling position. .l

23. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a mold-box, meansfor feeding a predetermined number of plugs singly thereinto, means fordischarging said plugs from the mold box, conveying means for slowlytransporting mold boxes from the filling position to the dischargeposition, the

' time length saidconveying means being suflicient for the compressedplugs to set,

and means tor returning the empty lmold,

boxes to filling position In a )lu tobacco aressiii and finishingmachine, a, mold box, means for individually feeding plugs alternatingwith finishing plates into said mold box, a yielding plunger and meansfor actuating the same to descend after each plug is inserted andyieldingly press each plug, and all the plugs in the mold box after apredetermined numberof plugs and plates have been deposited therein. u It a 25. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine,,a movablemold-box, means for feeding plugs ithereinto, means for compressing theplugs in the moldbox after a predetermined number of plugshave been fedtheii'ei-nto, means for advancing the mold box full. of plugsforwardfrom the plug receiving position, and meansfor maintainingtheplugs under COHLPY$$lOIl in the mold-box. i I I y y y Y 26*.[In a plug?tobacco pressing and finishi-ng'machine, a hopper for receiving plugs tobe pressed, it mold-box movable beneath said hopper, means for feedingplugs from the hopper in position to be deposited in the mold-box, meansfor supporting the plugs above the mold box, and means for compressing.the'plugs in the mold box after a predetermined number ,of plugs havebeen deposited therein. I

27. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishingmachine, a hopper forreceivingplugs to be pressed, a mold-box movable beneath said hopper,means for feeding plugs from the hopper in position to be deposited inthe mold-box, means for supporting the plugs above the mold box, and ayieldlng plunger forcompressing'the' plugs in the mold -box after apredetermined number of plugshave been deposited thereinf 28.111 a plugtobacco pressing and finish-1 ing machine, ahopper for receiving plugsto beipressed, ahopper for containing separat ingplates to be placedbetween said plugs, a mold-box, separate, means for feeding plugs andseparating platesto the mold-box,

means for compressing the plugs in the mold-box after a predeterminednumber of plugs and plates have been fed thereinto, and means formaintaining the plugs under compression- I 29. In a plug tobaccopressing and inishing, machine, a mold-box, means for successivelyfeeding individual plugs and separating finishing plates into the moldbox, and reciprocating plunger having a spring, and means for impartingpressure to said plunger through said spring to force said plunger downtoapply a preliminary pressure to each plug upon entering the mold box,said spring permitting the continued compressing. movement of said lastnamed means after'the downward movement of said plunger is stopped bythe tobacco.

30. In a plug tobacco pressing and fin vishing machine, a mold-boxhaving open ends, means for successively feeding in'di-, vidual plugsand separate finishing plates thereinto, means for feeding a pressingplate into the bottom and top of the moldbox before and after apredetermined num+ her of plugs have been fed thereinto, and means forapplying pressure to each plug upon entering the mold-box.

31. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a mold-box havingopen ends, means for simultaneously feeding plugs and separatingfinishing plates thereinto, means for feeding a pressing plate into thebottom and top of said mold-box beforc'a-nd after a predetermined numberof plugshave been fed therein, means for applying pressure to each plugupon entering plugs within said box, means carried by the mold-boxformaintaini'ng the pressure on said plugs, and means fol-guiding themold-box away after it is filled.

i In a plug tobacco pressing and finish ing machine, a hopper itor plugsto. be

.pressed, a yielding plunger, a mold-box mold-box.

" porting the plugs above the mold box, and

movable beneath said phmger, automatic meansrfor feeding plugs singlyfrom the hopper beneath the plungenand means for operating said" plungerto apply an adjustable maximum pressure to each plug upon entering thebox.

Ina plug tobacco pressing and'fi'nishing machine, a hopper forplugs tobe,

pressed, a hopper for separating plates to be placed between said plugs,a'yielding plunger, '1 mold-box movable beneath said plunger, 'means forsimultaneously"feeding plugs and plates singly from said hopper beneath,the plunger, means for supporting the plugs and plates in position abovethe mold box, and: means for operating said plungerv to apply anadjustable maximum pressure to each plug upon entermg the 3% Ina plugtobacco pressing and-finishing ,machine, a hopper for plugs to bepressed, a plunger, a mold-box movable beneath said plunger, means forfeeding plugs singly from the hopper beneath the plunger, automaticmeans for temporarily supmeans forop rating said plunger to apply anadju'stablemaximum' pressure to each plug upon entering the mold box.

. plugs and separating plates from their hoppers into the mold-box,means for feeding a pressure plate into the top and bott'omfof themoldbox before and after the, predetermined number of plugs have beenfed thereinto, means for operating said plunger to 'ap'ply amaximumpressureto" each of said plugs upon entering'themold box and tothe previously pressed plugs therein, and

automatic means on the mold-box for looking said pressure plates againstmovement to maintain saidplugs under compression. 7. 36. In a plugtobacco pressing and finishing machine, a mold-box, means for feeding apredetermined number of plugs sinthereinto, means" for maintaining theplugs under compression for a predetermined period, .means fordischarging said plugs from'the mold-box, and transporting" meansforcarrying thempld-boX from the the filling means to thedischarging means.

37. In a'plug tobacco pressing and finishing means, a mold-box, meansfor feeding a predetermined number of plugs thereinto, means fordischarging said plugs from the mold-box, transporting means forcarrying the mold boxes from the feeding means to the discharging means,and'means for re-' turning the empty mold-boxes to the filling position.i I r 38. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a mold-box,means for feeding a predetermined number of plugs there into, means fordischarging said plugs from the mold box, conveyingineans 'movable inone direction for transporting the filled mold boxes from thefillingmeans, other conveying means movable in an opposite direction fortransporting said mold-boxes to the discharging means, means. fortransporting the mold boxesfrom the outgoing to V the incoming conveyor,and means for transporting the empty mold boxes into filling position. 739. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a mold box, meansfor individually and successively feeding a predetermined number ofplugs into the mold box, meansforfeeding a separating finishing'platesimultaneously with each plug, a plunger, a spring associatedwith saidplunger, and means for applying pressure through said spring to saidplunger for. yieldingly compressing each plug as fed into said mold box,said spring permitting the continued compressing movement of said 7 lastnamed means after the downward movement of said plunger is stopped bytheto; bacco. i I r 40; Ina plug tobacco pressing and finishing. machine, aplurality of mold-boxes, means for feeding a predetermined number ofplugs successively thereinto, 'means for feeding a separating finishingplate simul-' taneously with each plug,'means for com pressing eachplugas fed into themold box being filled and all the plugs after thepredetermined number have been fed thereinto, means carried by eachmoldbox for maintaining the plugs under compression and means forguiding away the mold-boxes after being filled. a

41. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a moldbox, meansfor feed- 7 ing plugs to be pressed into said mold box,

automatic means for actuating said feeding means to cause apredetermmednumber of plugsto be fedsuccessively, a plunger, a

, spring associated therewith, and means for reciprocating said plungerand applying pressure to said plunger through said spring to press eachplug after entering the mold said plunger is stopped by the tobacco.

